Winter, and ’tis the season for colds and influenza. People are most likely to catch the flu or influenza virus during the winter months than they are during any other time of year.
Recent research shows that the age-old mystery, which most people dismiss as a myth, is neither a myth nor a mystery. The debate has ended and people/researchers who dismissed any connection between flu and winter have been proven wrong.
Manufacturers of influenza treatment drugs might have something to smile about as this research could affect sales in a positive way, as some people might be stocking up on meds for the winter months.
Why Is Flue More Likely To Spread During Winter?
The researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York who conducted the research, found that the reason why the influenza virus spreads in winter is because the virus is more stable and stays in the air longer when the climate is cold and dry.
Flu researcher Peter Palese, who is professor and chairman of the microbiology department at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and who also led the study said, “Influenza virus is more likely to be transmitted during winter on the way to the subway than in a warm room.”
Past Research and Theories on Influenza
Many theories and studies until now aimed to find the probable truth behind the link between flu and winter. Some studies proposed that most people are indoors due to cold and thereby passing the virus to family members. Others said that low immunity because of lack of vitamin D and melatonin (due to less exposure to sun) made people susceptible to the influenza virus. Others pointed to the direction of air currents in the upper atmosphere. However, all these proposals were rejected as neither of them carried enough conviction as to answer all the questions of scientists.
Now we know that there is a connection between winter and influenza as flu viruses are more stable in cold air, and low humidity helps the virus particles remain in the air. This shows that chances of catching flu virus via air increases in winter.
However, Dr. Palese does not suggest staying in a greenhouse all winter to avoid the flu. The best strategy, he says, is a flu shot. There are a couple of influenza drugs also available on the market now which work as preventive as well as remedial measures for influenza treatment.
